After a dominant performance in the Ivy League Tournament semifinals against Harvard (7–4–5 overall, 3–3–1 Ivy League), the Princeton women’s soccer team (15–4, 7–1) beat the Brown Bears (7–4–6, 3–2–2) 2–0 in the final match of the tournament. In their usual fashion, the Tigers got out to a strong start and controlled the game on the way to an Ivy League Tournament title. Now, they head to compete in the NCAA tournament.
“This team was resilient, and they battled all the time,” Head Coach Sean Driscoll told The Daily Princetonian. “They have such a good attitude; it’s just fun to watch.”
Princeton and Brown last faced off in October in a game that was notable in multiple ways. Princeton handed Brown their first regular season-loss since 2018, and the 8–0 trashing was one of the most striking performances the Tigers have ever produced in Ivy League competition.
Unlike last year, when four Ivy League teams made the trip to the NCAA tournament, this season’s edition may only feature one: the league’s tournament champion. No Ivy League teams have received votes in the NCAA Top 25 poll. Princeton ranks the highest in the NCAA RPI ranking — a metric that takes record and strength of schedule into account — at No. 34.
In the opening minutes of the game, it was clear that the Tigers were facing an opponent far stronger than the Harvard squad they dismantled on Friday. Whereas the Tigers kept possession early in that game and smothered their opponents, the outset against Brown was back-and forth, with each team displaying quality across the pitch and Brown threatening more early. A shot by junior forward Pietra Tordin in the 24th minute was the first real chance for the Tigers, but was quickly saved by Brown goalkeeper Bella Schopp.
Throughout the first half, this game seemed to be destined for a deadlocked state at the half. Suddenly, in the 34th minute, that changed when junior winger Drew Coomans did what she does best: use her speed to apply pressure on the back line. A long through ball into the middle of the Brown box seemed harmless as two defenders attempted to decide who would clear it. Out of nowhere, Coomans zipped in between them in a flash. Gaining possession of the ball, she pivoted and sent a soft lobbed shot over the head of Schopp. The ball floated into the back of the net, leaving the crowd in delighted shock and the Tigers in a frenzy, up 1–0. Coomans ran to the sideline to celebrate with her teammates, willing the Tigers ahead with an effort only she could produce.
When asked about her ability to pressure the ball, Coomans chalked it all up to effort. “One thing I can always control in the game is how much effort I put in,” she told the ‘Prince.’ “If it’s not the best game touch-wise, I know I can work as hard as I can, and I’ll produce results that way.”
After Coomans’ goal, the Tigers dominated the rest of the first half. The back line, led by sophomore defender Zoe Markesini, stifled a potent Brown attack featuring speedy super-sub Ayla Sahin, a second-team All-Ivy selection. Princeton went into the half leading 1–0 but looking for more.
“I really thought our defending was excellent today; we controlled their chances against us,” Driscoll said of the team’s defensive effort. “In general, in the first half, I thought we did a really good job in the wide spaces and created some really good chances as well. The team handled a really good opponent very well.”
43' left, 2nd half | Princeton 2, Brown 0
— Princeton WSoccer (@PrincetonWSoc) November 10, 2024
Lily Bryant off the corner! We're up TWO!
💻: https://t.co/LwUNDSgq0j pic.twitter.com/ggpoKPmuBt
Right out of the half, an excellent save from Schopp led to a corner kick taken by Princeton in the 47th minute. As the ball floated in the air off the kick from senior captain and forward Heather MacNab, it dropped to the feet of senior midfielder Lily Bryant. Bryant volleyed the ball, sending it past Schopp and into the back of the net. The two seniors combined for a bit of magic in their final Ivy League Tournament, putting Princeton up 2–0 and one step closer to a title.
“We ran a play that we had been working on a lot, and I don’t even know if I was necessarily where I was supposed to be,” Bryant told the ‘Prince.’ “I saw the ball coming in, and there was no way I was letting it get past me. We needed a second goal to feel some security, so that was awesome.”
A pair of consequential calls by the refs denied Princeton the chance to go up 3–0. A beautiful through ball from the back line found Drew Coomans wide open in on goal, but the play was blown dead for a foul against Brown all the way back from the site of the pass. Minutes later, a goal on a free kick by MacNab was disallowed for a seemingly nonexistent foul on the goalkeeper. MacNab, running towards midfield in celebration, was rudely awakened by the call.
Even without a third goal, the Tigers remained confident and in control throughout the second half. No chances by Brown developed into anything serious, and the Tigers kept the ball in the opposing half for most of the game. As coach Driscoll brought his substitutes into the game and the Tiger back line kept stifling Brown, reality on the field began to set in.
Applause from the crowd grew louder with every tough pass and bit of skill as anticipation built for the final whistle and all that waited after. When it finally came, the team stormed the field as they lifted the coveted Ivy League trophy.
The Tigers had not been crowned champions of the Ivy League since 2018 and had never won an Ivy League Tournament title. This iteration of the team had won big games in the past, but never reached the heights they now attained. Now, they had dominated their conference and slayed every opponent that had stood in their way for years. For Heather MacNab, the team captain and a senior who has been with the team for her entire Princeton experience, the tightness of the team was perhaps her favorite part of the whole season.
“This team loves each other so much,” MacNab told the ‘Prince.’ “It’s really difficult to find a group where there’s 26 girls, and we’re able to not only get along but also just love and have a mutual respect for one another. I think as team captain, that was my biggest goal going into the season, and it exceeded my expectations.”
Now, the Tigers have a chance to exceed MacNab’s expectations in yet another way: a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
“I’ve been to the tournament twice now, and only made it to the Round of 32,” MacNab added. “This team has a chance to go so much further this year and really do some damage.”
The Tigers await their placement in the NCAA tournament, which they will receive on Monday at 4 p.m. Last year, the team beat Michigan at home before falling to Texas Tech on penalties in the Round of 32. The Tigers should host a tournament game this week, with any games after that likely coming on the road. All signs indicate that they’ll be more than ready for the challenge.
Joe Uglialoro is a staff Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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